With all the backlogs and customer confusion that attended the flurry of spring bank holidays I thought my team might need to let of some steam. Last month we headed down to Rayleigh Indoor Karting and traded in the flatbeds for a bit of Formula 1.

Team bonding is important. Getting out of the office and into different environments is a way of forming relationships that aren’t predicated on titles and job descriptions. Taking this bit of business philosophy a bit too literally, Mike Vincent capitalised on an empty office at lunchtime and printed us each a nickname to stick on our backs for our day at the races. “Two-step Andy”, my racing pseudonym, has less to do with UK garage and more to with my tendency to underestimate the amount of work involved in certain installs. Our very own Essex girl Molly had the wonderfully simple “Shuuuut Uuup” on her back, and “I Love Printing” was on Luke’s shoulders due to his blatant preference for endless printing over sales.

Days out are also good opportunities to help newcomers settle in. We have a little initiation ritual here at SEDO requiring new recruits to sing us a song. After work, recent additions Richard and Adam treated us to a rendition of Wonderwall that could have reunited the Gallagher brothers in disapproval. I admire the effort lads, but more practice is needed!

Everyone’s equal on the track, and it was great to witness Team SEDO’s competitive side emerge. After a couple of circuits Mike and I had made it to the top of the group. A few well-contested heats brought the two of us into a play-off, with me landing the top spot on the podium at the end of the day.

All in all, I was very pleased with the excursion, and not just because I won! The guys showed themselves to be great company and impressive drivers. Plus, if they can get along on the race track, they can get along anywhere!